Batch, a Homestead native who has been recognized numerous times for his work in the community through his Best of the Batch Foundation, visited Monessen High School on Tuesday to promote the importance of dignity and respect.

In February, parents from Monessen, which has a predominantly black basketball team, said their children were the victims of racial slurs during a game against Brentwood that Monessen won 59-45.

The WPIAL decided not to issue any punishment, but instead enlisted Batch, a WPIAL alum who played at Steel Valley, to work with students from both schools through the UPMC Dignity and Respect Campaign.

“One thing we were trying to do was continue to move forward, not worry about the results, not worry about what everybody was thinking, and we were trying to figure out the best plan moving forward,” said Batch.

The students were tasked with creating a list of five good deeds to complete on game day, including complimenting someone.

They also had to come up with seven ways to show dignity and respect toward others.

“One of the things we were trying to get past was years of whatever was going on, and this didn’t necessarily have anything to do with the kids. Sometimes when you look back at stereotypes that would have been created, we were trying to break down those barriers, and these kids were able to do that,” said Batch.

Batch said he had the unique opportunity of approaching students from a nonadministrative standpoint, allowing them to speak freely without fear of being punished.

“I think once they realized there were a lot of similarities that both schools had, they became friends, and that was something that we were aiming for,” said Batch.